Al Zheimer

he may visit you, Al Zheimer 
he may come just to look 
you will never know the first time

he will not break but enter 

wander 
 your mansion's chambers
he may bring his greek friend 

Dementia 

help himself to magazines 
on your coffee table 
old stacked newspapers 

nothing you will miss 
the name of that guy in the movie 
with thingy 

a crossword  clue

because you didn't  notice the first time 
 he will return in your sleep
for he is 

a thief 

each time more brazen 
 for behold the day will come
when you go to the study 

to look up an eight letter 
 word for sleeplessness 
and the thesaurus will be gone. 

whole sets of the world book 
 spirited away
to cash converters 

just empty shelves 

and you will never 
know when it 
happened

you will never know the first time

(published @ Australian Reader, 13/08/05)
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